HEALTH DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS CLOSED DUE TO WEATHER

Thu April 18, 2013

The DuPage County Health Department has closed operations at all public health centers, include the main office in Wheaton, for Thursday, April 18, 2013, due to the extreme weather conditions and widespread flooding that have made roads impassable.

Health Department clients with appointments set for today should reschedule with their appropriate service. The Department, and all services, will reopen on Friday, April 19, unless otherwise notified.

If you must drive today, please follow these simple safety tips to ensure you arrive at your destination safely:

Do your best to estimate the depth of the water (if other cars are driving through, take note of how deep the water is).

Drive slowly and steadily through the water.

Avoid driving in water that downed electrical or power lines have fallen in - electric current passes through water easily.

If you have driven through water up to the wheel rims or higher, test your brakes on a clear patch of road at low speed. If they are wet and not stopping the vehicle as they should, dry them by pressing gently on the brake pedal with your left foot while maintaining speed with your right foot.

Stay off the telephone unless you must report severe injuries.

If your vehicle stalls in the deep water, you may need to restart the engine to make it to safety. Keep in mind that restarting may cause irreparable damage to the engine.

If you can't restart your vehicle and you become trapped in rising water, immediately abandon it for higher ground. Try to open the door or roll down the window to get out of the vehicle. If you are unable to get out safely, call 911 or get the attention of a passerby or someone standing on higher ground so that they may call for help.

Future announcements regarding Department operations can be found at www.dupagehealth.org, or on Facebook (DuPage County Health Department) and Twitter (@DuPageHD).